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SULLIVAN, Ind. — A quiet Indiana community known for its parks and corn festival has become the
latest setting for the debate over gay rights after several area residents, including some
high-schoolers, proposed holding a non-school-sanctioned “traditional” prom that would ban gay
students.

Diana Medley, a group member who is a special-education teacher in another district, said she
believes being gay is a choice people make and that gays have no purpose in life.

Medley’s comments have led to online campaigns to get her fired.

Some residents of this town of 4,200 near the Illinois border think the issue has been blown out
of proportion.

“We are conservative around here. That’s just the way of this town,” said Nancy Woodard, 60, who
owns the Hidden Treasure Exchange store. “The Bible is a big belief system here.”

David Springer, the principal of Sullivan High, said talk of the “traditional” prom began in
January after a student circulated a petition demanding that gays be allowed to participate in the
grand march at Sullivan’s April 27 prom. The march is when couples are presented at the dance.